[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15422-15423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6703]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6952-4]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; 
Comment Request; Tax-Exempt (Dyed) Highway Diesel Fuel; Requirements 
for Transferors and Transferees

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Tax-exempt (Dyed) Highway Diesel Fuel: 
Requirements for Transferors and Transferees (40 CFR 80.29(c)), (EPA 
ICR Number 1718.03, OMB Control Number 2060-0308, expiration date: 7-
31-01). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA 
is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information 
collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation, Mail Code 
6406J, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460. A paper or electronic copy of the draft ICR 
may be obtained without charge by contacting the person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James W. Caldwell, (202) 564-9303, 
Fax: (202) 565-2085, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which transfer or receive tax-exempt (dyed) highway diesel fuel.
    Title: Tax-exempt (Dyed) Highway Diesel Fuel: Requirements for 
Transferors and Transferees (40 CFR 80.29(c)), EPA ICR Number 1718.03, 
OMB Control Number 2060-0308, expiration date: 7-31-01.
    Abstract: Diesel fuel for use in motor vehicles, also known as 
highway diesel fuel, as subject to compositional restrictions, per 40 
CFR 80, in order to reduce emissions. Diesel fuel not intended for use 
in motor vehicles, also known as off-road diesel fuel, has no such 
restriction. It is required to be dyed red in order to distinguish it 
from highway diesel fuel, and thus deter its use in motor vehicles. The 
Internal Revenue Service requires that highway diesel fuel which is 
tax-exempt contain the same red dye in order to distinguish it from 
taxed highway diesel fuel, and thus deter its use in vehicles which do 
not qualify for tax-exempt fuel. In order to distinguish off-road 
diesel fuel from tax-exempt highway diesel fuel, the product transfer 
document (PTD) for tax-exempting highway diesel fuel must indicate that 
the diesel fuel meets the requirements for highway diesel fuel. 
Typically, a code is used on the PTD to so indicate. The PTD is a 
necessary document produced in the normal course of business for 
reasons other than this requirement. Transferors and transferees of 
tax-exempt highway diesel fuel are required to retain the PTDs for five 
years, which is customary business practice. See 40 CFR 80.29(c). An 
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations 
are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: EPA estimates that there are no longer any 
burdens associated with these reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 
The computers which print the code or related language on the PTDs were 
programmed in 1993. Thus, there is no annualized capital cost. The PTDs 
are produced and retained in the normal course of business. Thus, there 
is no labor cost and no operating and maintenance cost. No information 
is reported to EPA. Thus, there is no respondent burden and no 
respondent cost. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, 
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of 
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able

[[Page 15423]]

to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; 
complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or 
otherwise disclose the information.

    Dated: March 1, 2001.
Deborah Wood,
Acting Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 01-6703 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U